Stamford boys hockey falls to Branford

Rich DePreta

Updated 10:20 pm, Saturday, December 21, 2013

Branford's Adolph Brink guards the goal as Stamford's Tim Walsh competes for control of the puck during Saturday's hockey game against Branford at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, Conn., on December 21, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Stamford goalie Devin Camlin and Branford's Jason Vitale watch the puck in the air during Saturday's hockey game against Branford at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, Conn., on December 21, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Stamford's Carter Trabakino, left, competes with Branford's Robert Denhardt for the puck during Saturday's hockey game against Branford at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, Conn., on December 21, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

The knight is seen on the puck as it is controled by a Branford player during Saturday's hockey game against Branford at Terry Connors Rink in Stamford, Conn., on December 21, 2013.
Photo: Lindsay Perry

STAMFORD -- As Christmas gets closer and the holiday shopping hours dwindle down to a precious few, focusing on the task at hand can be challenging.

The Stamford High School boys ice hockey team did not put its best collective step forward Saturday afternoon as the Black Knights suffered a 6-2 defeat to Branford High at Terry Conners ice rink.

"Branford is a good hockey team. They capitalized on our mistakes. They finished to turn our mistakes into goals," said veteran Stamford High boys ice hockey head coach Doug Robinson. "We're still learning."

Indeed, Stamford (1-1 overall) took a step back after a season-opening 3-2 road triumph over Watertown-Pomperaug Co-op last Wednesday.

Branford (2-0) put its stamp on the contest by erupting for three goals in the final six minutes of the first period for a 3-0 edge.

Cooper Bunton tallied twice from in close while Tyler Criscuolo found the top right corner of the net from the slot for the aggressively-buzzing Hornets.

"We have a lot of juniors who have been starting since their freshmen year. We're trying to play an uptempo game," said Branford head coach Adolph Brink. "We want to use our maturity to push the pace."

Branford continued swarming in the second period. Criscuolo tallied with 10:36 left and then shorthanded with 1:51 left in the second period to complete his hat trick and increase the Hornets' lead to 5-1.

Experience shouldn't be an issue for Stamford as the Black Knights have 10 seniors on their roster.

But SHS has depth concerns using mainly two forward lines and two defense pairings.

SHS senior Devin Camlin was busy, making 36 saves, including 10 in the second period and 20 in the third period.

But all in all, it was a tough afternoon at the office for the Black Knights.

"The effort was there. But the kids need to understand we can't have lulls against teams like Branford," Robinson said. "We need to stay within our system. We got caught up trying to play run and gun with Branford. It's our seniors' time to make a statement. There's 18 games to go so it's a long season."